Scientific Guidelines For Testing
First, probiotics must be alive when administered. One of the concerns throughout the scientific literature resides in the viability and reproducibility on a large scale of observed results for specific studies, as well as the viability and stability during use and storage, and finally the ability to survive in stomach acids and then in the intestinal ecosystem.
Second, probiotics must have undergone controlled evaluation to document health benefits in the target host. Only products that contain live organisms shown in reproducible human studies to confer a health benefit may claim to be probiotic. The correct definition of health benefit, backed with solid scientific evidence, is a strong element for the proper identification and assessment of the effect of a probiotic. This aspect is a challenge for scientific and industrial investigations because several difficulties arise, such as variability in the site for probiotic use and mode of application.
Third, the probiotic candidate must be a taxonomically defined microbe or combination of microbes ” rel=”nofollow”> strain level). It is commonly admitted that most effects of probiotics are strain-specific and cannot be extended to other probiotics of the same genus or species. This calls for a precise identification of the strain, i.e. genotypic and phenotypic characterization of the tested microorganism.
It May Help Lower Cholesterol
Cholesterol is an essential compound made in our livers that helps maintain cell membranes, make vitamin D and even help make steroid hormones, like oestrogen and testosterone.
And it turns out that probiotics such as lactobacillus acidophilus could help keep levels in check.
High cholesterol happens when you have high levels of LDL .
This can cause plaque to build up and narrow arteries, making it hard to oxygen and other essential nutrients to travel around the body.
Studies have suggested that some probiotics can help reduce cholesterol levels, lactobacillus acidophilus being one of the most effective especially when combined with other probiotics.
One study found that taking lactobacillus acidophilus along with another probiotic for 6 weeks experienced a significant lowering of cholesterol levels total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and also HDL cholesterol.11
Several other studies have found that yoghurts supplemented with lactobacillus acidophilus lowered cholesterol levels by up to 7% compared with ordinary yoghurt.12,13,14,15
Benefits Of L Acidophilus Lb In Different Gastrointestinal Pathologies
Acute diarrhea
Probiotics are used as a supplement to rehydration therapy in the treatment of infectious diarrhea. Results have been positive and remarkably consistent in terms of shortening the duration of the episode and reducing the frequency of evacuation.,
Randomized and non-randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of lyophilized and heat-treated cells and culture media together with oral rehydration solution therapy for the treatment of acute, well-established rotavirus-induced acute watery diarrhea in infants ., Thus, for example, in children with infectious diseases treated with L. acidophilus LB, Boulloche et al. showed a reduction in the duration of diarrhea. In two studies with children with rotavirus-induced acute diarrhea managed with L. acidophilus LB, it was possible to reduce the number of stools per day and the duration of diarrhea. In two studies of bacteria-induced acute diarrhea in children treated with L. acidophilus LB, the authors reported a shortening in the duration of diarrhea.
Don’t Miss: Probiotics For Toddlers Immune System
What Is Bifidobacterium And Lactobacillus
Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus is a medical food used as a probiotic, or “friendly bacteria” to maintain a healthy digestive tract . It may also help maintain healthy bacteria in the vagina.
Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus is used in people with irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, or an ileal pouch. Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus is also used in women to support vaginal health.
Not all uses for bifidobacterium and lactobacillus have been approved by the FDA. Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.
Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.
Best No Fat Greek Yogurt Organic Meadow
- Per serving : 120 calories, 0 g fat , 85 mg sodium, 6 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 5 g sugar, 18 g protein
- Probiotic strains: 1 Billion+ Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus
Organic meadows nonfat plain Greek yogurt contains only 2 ingredients- organic skim milk, and active bacterial cultures.
It provides more than 1 billion live probiotic cultures per serving, is an excellent source of calcium, and is high in protein. Since it is plain, it is very low in sugar, making it a very healthy option for breakfast or a snack.
Don’t Miss: How To Add Probiotics To Your Diet
It May Promote Weight Loss
The bacteria in your intestines help control food digestion and a number of other bodily processes.
Therefore, they influence your weight.
There is some evidence that probiotics may help you lose weight, especially when multiple species are consumed together. However, the evidence on L. acidophilus alone is unclear .
A recent study that combined the results of 17 human studies and over 60 animal studies found that some lactobacilli species led to weight loss, while others may have contributed to weight gain .
It suggested that L. acidophilus was one of the species that led to weight gain. However, most of the studies were conducted in farm animals, not humans.
Furthermore, some of these older studies used probiotics that were originally thought to be L. acidophilus, but have since been identified as different species (
40 ).
A similar study on L. acidophilus and another probiotic also found similar positive results for reducing cold symptoms in children .
Summary:
L. acidophilus on its own and in combination with other probiotics may reduce cold symptoms, especially in children.
How Do You Identify Lactobacillus Acidophilus
IdentificationLactobacillus acidophilusidentifiedlactobacilli
. Consequently, what are the characteristics of Lactobacillus acidophilus?
L. acidophilus is a homofermentative, microaerophilic species, fermenting sugars into lactic acid, and grows readily at rather low pH values and has an optimum growth temperature of around 37 °C . L. acidophilus occurs naturally in the human and animal gastrointestinal tract and mouth.
Furthermore, how was Lactobacillus acidophilus discovered? Lactobacillus acidophilus is a commercially significant bacterial probiotic, originally isolated from the human gastrointestinal tract and designated Bacillus acidophilus in 1900. acidophilus, and reviewing the probiotic, genomic and physiological characteristics of this important Lactobacillus species.
Consequently, what kingdom does Lactobacillus acidophilus belong to?
Lactobacillus acidophilus is part of the kingdom Monera, which is the only kingdom of prokaryotic organisms. It is also in the division Firmicutes, which has species that produce endospores, and all are found in many different environments.
Where is Lactobacillus acidophilus found?
Acidophilus , a bacterium found in the mouth, intestine and vagina, is used as a probiotic.
You May Like: How To Use Probiotics To Lose Weight
Evaluation Of Probiotic Viability
The viable probiotic bacteria were quantified through surface plate count method. Ten grams of each yogurt samples was diluted with 90 ml of 0.1% peptone water. Preparation of serial dilutions, plating, and incubation conditions method was done as mentioned above. MRS bile agar and MRS agar containing 0.05% cysteine hydrochloride and 0.3% sodium propionate were used for selective enumeration of L. acidophilus and B. bifidum, respectively.
Best Probiotic Yogurts In Canada
Not all yogurts are considered probiotic. In order to simply be yogurt, the product must contain the strains S. thermophilus or L. bulgaricus. These strains, however, are not considered probiotics by Health Canada.
In order to be a probiotic yogurt, at least 1 billion live colony-forming units of probiotic strains pre-approved by Health Canada must be added during manufacturing. As mentioned above, read labels carefully and look for yogurts that add other strains of probiotics into their products.
Also Check: Can Probiotics Get Rid Of Uti
Best Low Fat Astro Biobest Probiotic Yogurt
- Per serving : 70 calories, 1.5 g fat , 70 mg sodium, 7 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 6 g protein
- Probiotic strains: 1 Billion+ Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07
Astros plain yogurt contains over 1 billion active probiotic cultures and 7 essential vitamins and minerals. It is also 90% lactose-reduced, when compared with regular plain yogurt, so may be a better option for those who are sensitive to lactose.
Astro BioBest has only 1.5 grams of fat per serving, making it a great option if you are watching your fat intake, or if you find high-fat dairy difficult on your digestive system.
Makes Up To 30 Quarts
Natren YOGURT STARTER is an easy and delicious way to add probiotics to your diet. This yogurt is a tasty, Bulgarian recipe full of protein, calcium, and super strain probiotics. The creamy thick deliciousness is a nutritional treat your whole family can enjoy!
YOGURT STARTER:
-
Uses a traditional recipe for smooth, yummy yogurt
-
Is naturally sweet with no preservatives, artificial colors or flavors.
-
Provides the beneficial bacteria that makes it a healthy treat
-
A delicious source of protein and bioavailable calcium
Natren YOGURT STARTER dairy powder is a recipe passed down over generations. It has graced the table of royalty the world-over. The Bulgarian recipe is filled with creamy healthy goodness. Eat it plain, straight from the fridge, use it as a sour cream substitute on your tacos and potatoes, or dress it up with your favorite fruit and honey to satisfy that sweet tooth!
100% potency guaranteed through the printed expiration date.
YOGURT STARTER PRODUCT AVAILABILITY
- Megadophilus® is step one in Natren’s three-step custom probiotic system. This Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotic product provides support to the small intestine. Lactobacillus acidophilus prefer to reside along the walls of the small intestine, where most of the digestive process takes place.
You May Like: What Does Probiotics Do For Your Stomach
Acute Onset Infectious Diarrhea
Several randomized controlled trials have evaluated the use of probiotics in acute infectious diarrhea. The data are largely from pediatric studies where both prevention and treatment were examined. Trials were conducted across the world with durations of up to 1 year. In the pediatric population, rotavirus has been the most common cause of infectious diarrhea. Data suggests that the benefit of probiotics in preventing acute infectious diarrhea is modest., Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG , L. reuteri and L. casei all have shown benefit, with an approximate NNT of 7 children to prevent 1 case of rotavirus in the child care center setting. With the currently available rotavirus vaccine in consideration, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that probiotics for preventing acute infectious diarrhea are not universally endorsed, but acknowledges that they may have a role in special circumstances. According to the US Center for Disease Control, data is not sufficient to support the use of probiotics such as LGG to prevent travelers diarrhea of bacterial origin.
The data supporting treatment of acute infectious diarrhea with probiotics are stronger. LGG is the most effective probiotic reported on to date, reducing both severity and duration of diarrhea by ~1 day., The American Academy of Pediatrics supports the recommendation of LGG early in the course of acute infectious diarrhea to reduce symptom duration.
Preparation Of Probiotic Bacteria
The probiotic bacteria including L. acidophilus and B. bifidum prepared from CHR Hansen was used in this study. Freeze-dried bacteria were added to the sterile MRS broth medium and incubated for 48 hr at 37°C in aerobic condition and anaerobic jar for L. acidophilus and B. bifidum, respectively. Bacterial cultures were harvested by centrifugation at 4,000 à g at 4°C for 10 min and washed twice with sterile saline and collected by centrifugation. A bacterial suspension with optical density of 0.1 at 600 nm was prepared, and the cell numbers were determined using surface plate count technique through preparing serial dilutions and plating on MRS agar. The plates were then incubated at 37°C for 3 days in aerobic and anaerobic conditions for L. acidophilus and B. bifidum, respectively, as mentioned above. Bacterial number was calculated through counting bacterial colonies.
Recommended Reading: Schiff Digestive Advantage Daily Probiotic
Dysbiosis And Reinstatement Of Microbiota
Dysbiosis of the intestinal ecosystem contributes to the development of certain diseases that can be reversed with favorable alterations caused by probiotics.,
As in other organs, the proper function of the gut microbiota depends on a stable cell composition in this case, it consists primarily of the bacteria phyla Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and, to a lesser degree, Proteobacteria. Dysbiosis occurs due to a significant deviation in the ratio of the above phyla or the expansion of new bacteria groups which leads to an imbalance that promotes disease. A reduction in microbial diversity and the overgrowth of Proteobacteria are two cardinal characteristics of dysbiosis.
Environmental impacts, such as the use of antibiotics or diet itself, can result in structural changes of the microbial community. Such variations can lead to the loss of organisms that are beneficial to their host and to a subsequent overgrowth of pathobionts . There are three types of dysbiosis in the intestinal ecosystem:
loss of beneficial microorganisms
pathobionts expansion
loss of the total diversity of microorganisms.
When dysbiosis occurs, the need to restore a healthy microbiota becomes evident. It can be carried out through a fecal microbiota transplant from a healthy donor, although the easiest way is through the administration of dietary supplements, which can be done through multiple mechanisms , as shown in .,
It May Restore The Natural Balance Of Bacteria In The Vagina
Lactobacilli are the most common bacterial family inhabiting the vagina in healthy women, which includes lactobacillus acidophilus.
A healthy vaginal microbiota can change rapidly, for reasons that arent entirely clear but very annoying none the less!
When the bad bacteria tips the good bacteria out of balance, women can develop infections like bacterial vaginosis , thrush and urinary tract infections .6
Evidence shows that maintaining adequate lactobacilli colonies in the body can help to retain a harmonious balance to help prevent the occurrence of infections.
A 2014 Iranian study reported that friendly bacteria taken orally or as a pessary released acids inside the vagina that help maintain the pH at a healthy level, suppressing the growth of bacteria that can cause problems such as thrush and UTIs.7
Recommended Reading: C Section Babies And Probiotics
What Makes A Probiotic A Probiotic
Definitions of the terms probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic are provided in . This review focuses on probiotics, though some probiotics have been tested as part of a synbiotic product. Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium species are the most commonly used probiotics. However, one of the first probiotics, which is still in use, is the non-pathogenic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 . Most probiotics were initially cultured from humans and resemble known commensal gut bacteria. However, the commensal population they resemble typically represents only a fraction of the total luminal bacteria. Saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic yeast strain with the potential advantage of having resistance to most antibiotics.
Are Bananas A Good Source Of Probiotics
goodprobioticsgoodfoodsbananasgreat sourcefoodprobiotics10 Ways to Improve Your Gut Bacteria, Based on Science
Read Also: Probiotic Drops For Breastfed Baby
How To Choose The Right Probiotic
There has been a lot of talk about all of the amazing things probiotics can offer.
There has been a lot of talk about all of the amazing things probiotics can offer, from weight loss, to lower cholesterol, to reduced intestinal discomfort.
Because the mass media refers to them collectively as probiotics, patients are given the impression that a single product can do all of these amazing things. But the fact is that probiotics are actually hundreds of uniquely different bacteria that are not interchangeable.
Just because a clinical study found that one bacterium or combination of bacteria had a specific action doesn’t mean that all bacteria can perform that function. It just means that these specific bacteria performed that specific action in a specific population at a specific dose.
It is significant to note where in the world the study was conducted because healthy bacteria in Mexico or Japan are not the same as those seen in the United States. The bacteria we co-evolved with are unique to us and essential to our health.
The most commonly used probiotic is Lactobacillus acidophilus, but there are thousands of strains of these bacteria and they are not interchangeable.
Some L. acidophilus excrete lactic acid and therefore change the pH of the environment, making it unfavorable for bad bacteria. Other L. acidophlius work by simply competing with bad bacteria for living space and therefore keep them low in numbers.
Common reasons for taking probiotics
Clinical evidence
Acne
Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth
One clear difference between lactobacillus and bifidobacteria is that bifidobacteria reside mainly in the colon while lactobacillus strains are also found in the small intestine.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is a condition where the numbers of normal or pathogenic bacteria increase to harmful levels in the small bowel. SIBO has been shown to cause harm both to the structure and function of the small bowel.
While lactobacillus is one of the good guys, and normally a beneficial bacteria, it can be part of a dysbiotic overgrowth in the small bowel, which causes adverse health effects. For this reason, lactobacillus probiotics may not be suitable in the presence of SIBO.
You May Like: Eminence Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer
Bifidobacterium And Lactobacillus Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:hives difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Common side effects may include:
-
stomach bloating or discomfort.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Three In Natren’s Three
Digesta-Lac® is step three in Natren’s three-step custom probiotic system. This Lactobacillusbulgaricusprobiotic supplement provides support throughout the digestion process*.
Natren’s Lactobacillus bulgaricus LB-51 super strain is a transient beneficial bacteria that travels through the digestive tract with food through the process of digestion. Each serving of Digesta-Lac® provides a minimum of 2 billion colony forming units of Lactobacillus bulgaricus LB-51 transient super strain. Dr. Elie Metchnikoff, a Nobel Prize winning scientist who theorized that aging is caused by toxic bacteria in the gut, linked the oft-noted longevity and good digestion of the Bulgarian people to the large quantity of fermented milk products containing Lactobacillus bulgaricusin their diet.
In the early 1960s, renowned Bulgarian microbiologist and researcherDr. Ivan Bogdanov researched a variety of lactobacillus strains, focusing on their applications in improving human health.
- A slightly acidic environment necessary for intestinal health*
- Growth of beneficial bacteria, L. acidophilus and B. bifidum*
- Digestion of dairy products by assisting with lactose metabolism*
100% potency guaranteed through the printed expiration date when stored under the conditions stated on the label.*
Step One in Natren’s three-step custom probiotic Healthy Start System: Megadophilus®
Don’t Miss: Best Probiotic For Nail Fungus